Display racks and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Racks for use in point of purchase displays of goods and methods of using the same are disclosed. The racks may be suspended from a generally vertical surface or placed on a generally horizontal surface.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to racks for displaying objects and,more particularly, to racks used for point of purchase displays of goodsand methods of using the same.

BACKGROUND

It is common to display goods within a retail environment on shelves,countertops or on racks. Racks have been available for display purposesin various forms, such as those made of wire, plastic, wood or the like.Racks also have been configured for use on top of flat surfaces, as wellas to be hung from vertically oriented surfaces such as slatwalls,pegboards or the like.

The present disclosure addresses the issue of retail merchandising spacebeing inherently limited, while providing enhanced, low cost racks forstand alone display of goods, as well as for display of goods that areassociated with other goods that are present within a larger display.The disclosure also addresses the need of retailers for flexibility inarranging point of purchase displays to best utilize merchandisingspace, and to quickly and conveniently adapt displays to changing needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of first and second example racks connectedto a stanchion for use in point of purchase displays.

FIG. 2A is a front, upper perspective view of the first example rackshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a rear, lower perspective view of the first example rackshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the first example rack shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D is a front, upper perspective view of a third example rack.

FIG. 2E is a rear, lower perspective view of the front and side membersof the third example rack shown in FIG. 2D.

FIG. 2F is an exploded perspective view of the connection of the firstexample rack shown in FIG. 1 to the stanchion.

FIG. 3A is a front, upper perspective view of the second example rackshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a rear, lower perspective view of the second example rackshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is an exploded perspective view of the second example rack shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a front, upper perspective view of a fourth example rack.

FIG. 4B is a rear, lower perspective view of the fourth example rackshown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the fourth example rack shownin FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a front, upper perspective view of a fifth example rack.

FIG. 5B is a rear, lower perspective view of the fifth example rackshown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the fifth example rack connected to aslatwall for use in point of purchase displays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following discloses example racks for use in point ofpurchase displays that involve placement on flat surfaces, such as adesk, countertop or shelf, or suspending from generally verticalstructures, such as slatwalls or stanchions, persons of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are inno way limited to such specific embodiments. On the contrary, it iscontemplated that the teachings of this disclosure may be implemented inalternative configurations and environments. For example, although theexample racks described herein are described in conjunction withconfigurations for displaying literature, such as books or periodicals,those having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that theexample racks may be used for display of other types of goods and may beconfigured to correspond appropriately to the goods to be displayed,whether requiring additional containment, support or other features.

Similarly, the disclosed examples may be used in any type of format tocontain and display goods. Thus, the methods, apparatus, and/or articlesof manufacture disclosed herein may be advantageously adapted to enhanceor improve the organization, display or dispensing of any type of goods.Accordingly, while the following describes example racks and methods ofuse thereof, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate that the disclosed examples are not the only way to implementsuch racks and/or methods.

In general, the example racks and/or methods described herein facilitateconvenient and cost effective point of purchase display of goods. Insome examples, the racks may be placed on generally horizontal surfaces,such as is provided by a desk, countertop, shelf or the like. In otherexamples, the racks are intended to be hung from substantially verticalsurfaces, such as a stanchion, pegboard, slatwall or the like.

A first example rack 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A-2C and 2F. Theillustrated example rack 10 includes a frame 20, a hanger assembly 30,side panels 40 and a front panel 50.

The frame 20 comprises rear wall members 22, a front wall member 24, andupright members 26 which are generally U-shaped. In the illustratedexample, the two centrally located upright members 26 are connected by afront guard portion 28. Front guard portion 28 may be included to helpcontain taller or less rigid goods, such as periodicals or promotionalmaterials, while still including spaces along the front of rack 10 forpermitting users to easily grasp and remove items from the rack.

The upright members 26 are spaced apart horizontally across the width ofthe rack 10, with a pair of outermost upright members providing sides ofthe frame 20. The rear wall members 22 are spaced apart vertically, andgenerally are located in a common plane, although they need not be. Therear wall members 22 also are connected to rear portions of the uprightmembers 26. The front wall member 24 is connected to front portions ofthe upright members 26. In this example, the front guard portion 28 isillustrated as an integral portion of a continuous piece that also formstwo centrally located upright members 26. Also, in this example, thecomponents of the frame 20 are illustrated as a being formed from wiresegments, which may be joined by welding or via fasteners or the like.It will be appreciated that such segments alternatively may be formedfrom butt welded or lapped shorter segments. Moreover, the frame may beconstructed of other materials and may be joined by suitable meanstherefore. For instance, the frame could be molded, from plastic, metalor the like, in which event the various components would be connectedvia their integrally formed structure. The components could be formed ofplastic or other materials, and in shapes other than rods, such as flatbands, and connected via fasteners, welding, adhesives or the like.Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate thatother materials and methods of manufacture may be employed.

As shown in the example, a pair of side panels 40 and a front panel 50are connected to the frame 20. In this example, the side panels 40 andfront panel 50 are constructed of sheet metal, and are joined to theframe 20 by welding. The panels 40, 50 provide some closure for the endsand the front of the frame 20, which assists in retaining goods placedwithin the rack 10. Advantageously, a single side panel configurationmay be used at both ends of the example rack, simplifying manufacture,and permitting common side panels 40 to be used for different lengthracks as well. Accordingly, different length racks can be formed byassembling a frame with longer front and rear wall members 22, 24, andpotentially additional upright members 26, while using the common sidepanels 40 and a front panel 50 of an appropriate corresponding length.

In addition, this particular configuration is structurally advantageous,as the side panels 40 and front panel 50 provide a stabilizing affect tothe outer-most U-shaped upright members 26, which in turn is transmittedto the more centrally located upright members 26 by way of theconnection of all of the upright members 26 to the rear wall members 22and the front wall member 24. Thus, by strategic and efficient use offairly inexpensive wire and sheet metal, or alternative relatively rigidmaterials, a relatively strong and rigid rack 10 may be formed, and mayinclude connecting means that permit rapid deployment or reconfigurationof point of purchase displays.

In the example rack 10, the hanger assembly 30 is illustrated ascomprising a base 32, hook member 34 and a mounting tab 36. In thisexample, the base 32 is configured to provide a broad format forconnection to the rear of the frame 20, such as by welding to the rearwall members 22, although a narrower configuration may be used. The hookmember 34 provides a means for attachment to a generally verticalstructure having apertures therein, such as the stanchion 60 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2F. The stanchion 60 includes a C-shaped channel 62 having agenerally vertical front surface 64. The front surface 64 of thestanchion 60 includes a pattern of apertures 66 therethrough. In thisexample, the stanchion 60 is of the type that would be found in thecorner of large platforms used for storing and displaying goods at largehome center stores or the like. The pattern of apertures 66 in thisexample includes a series of pairs of holes having a generally circularportion 66A from which a smaller slotted portion 66B extends downward.The patterns of apertures and surfaces from which the rack 10 may besuspended can vary, and may also include variations, for example, suchas hanging over an upper edge of a panel, hanging from an elongatedhorizontal slot, or from structures such as peg boards or the like.

The hook member 34 of the present example includes two hook portions 34Aat upper ends of a U-shaped member. The base 32 and hook member 34 maybe formed and connected together in manners similar to those describedabove with respect to the frame 20, and are shown, for example, as beingconstructed of welded wire segments. The base 32 also is illustrated asbeing non-planar, and includes an angled mounting approach that providesfor some stand-off distance between the frame 20 and the stanchion 60.This facilitates presentation of goods spaced from the vertical surface.This may be advantageous when attempting to place goods in a moreprominent position, such as extending outward into an isle. This alsoallows light to pass through the open back of the rack 10. It will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that if desired, a rearpanel may be added to further enclose rack 10.

The mounting tab 36 has slotted apertures 38 and is connected to thelower end of the hook member 34. In this example, the mounting tab 36 isformed from flat metal and is connected to the hook member 34 bysuitable means, such as welding, but it will be appreciated by one ofskill in the art that as with the other components, the mounting tab maybe formed of other materials, in other configurations, and connected byother suitable means. Further, the hanger assembly 30 in the presentexample is shown as having multiple components and being connected tothe frame 20 in a particular manner. However, it will be appreciatedthat the rack 10 may be formed in alternative ways, and that the hangerassembly 30 may be incorporated more directly or integrally into theframe.

The example rack 10 may be suspended by simply inserting the upper endsof hook member 34 into the apertures 66 in the stanchion 60 and thenmoving the rack 10 downward, thereby moving the hook portions 34Adownward until seated in the slotted extensions 66B of the apertures 66.In this instance the mounting tab 36 may not be needed, or if present,will provide a contact point against the stanchion 60 for the lowerportion of the rack 10.

However, the mounting tab 36 may be used to provide enhanced security orto simply more firmly hold the rack 10 in place. This may beaccomplished by use of additional fasteners, such as screws 70 andthreaded locking tabs 72, shown in FIG. 2F. Thus, for more securemounting, screws 70 may have their threaded portions inserted throughslotted apertures 38 in the mounting tab 36 and be threaded into lockingtabs 72. Then, the rack 10 may be moved into a position whereby thelocking tabs 72 are inserted through the apertures 66 in the stanchion60. The rack 10 then may be moved slightly upward to permit the upperhook portions 34A of hook member 34 to be inserted through additionalapertures 66 at a higher location along the stanchion 60. Next, the rack10 may be permitted to move downward until the hook portions 34A becomeseated in the slotted extensions 66B of the upper apertures 66. Finally,the screws 70 may be tightened to removably fix mounting tab 36, andthereby the rack 10, into position along the stanchion 60.

FIG. 1 also includes a second example rack 110, which is furtherillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C. This second illustrated example rack 110includes a frame 120, a hanger assembly 30, side panels 140 and a frontpanel 150.

The frame 120 of this example is two-tiered, having rear wall members122, a front wall member 124, generally L-shaped upper upright members125, generally U-shaped lower upright members 126, and intermediate wallmembers 127. As with the first example, the centrally located uprightmembers 126 are connected by a front guard portion 128. The varioussegments of the frame 120, side panels 140, and front panel 150 may befabricated and connected in manners similar to those used for the rack10 described above, although this example includes the connection of theupper upright members 125 to the lower upright members 126 via anintermediate wall member 127 and the mutual connection to the sidepanels 140. Note however that while it is structurally advantageous, theupper and lower upright members need not necessarily be mutuallyconnected to an intermediate wall member 127. Also, additional upperupright members 125 and intermediate wall members 127 may be added toform multi-tiered racks having alternative numbers of tiers, withcorresponding suitably formed side panels, as desired.

Example rack 110 is shown as including a hanger assembly 30, as abovedescribed. Indeed, the large base 32 permits universal use of the hangerassembly 30 with single-tiered racks 10 or multi-tiered racks, such asthe rack 110. The hanger assembly 30 is used to mount the rack 110 to agenerally vertical surface having apertures therethrough in essentiallythe same manner as described above with respect to the rack 10. It willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the use ofsingle-tiered racks or multi-tiered racks may be more or lessadvantageous in particular merchandising environments, and that suchracks may be used together in formats, such as is shown in FIG. 1, orplaced one behind the other in tiered displays on a horizontal surface.Also, due to its added height, the example rack 110 with the hangerassembly 30 may advantageously be used for placement on top of a desk,countertop, shelving or other generally horizontal surface, such as tohold books or periodicals that relate to associated nearby goods.

A further example rack 210 is shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E. This thirdexample rack 210 has a frame 20 similar to that of the first example,including rear wall members 22, a front wall member 24, upright members26 which are generally U-shaped, with the centrally located uprightmembers 26 being connected by a front guard portion 28. However, thisexample differs from the first example rack 10 in two main respects.First, the rack 210 includes side panels 240 and a front panel 250 whichare directly connected together. In this example, they are connected bybeing formed from a continuous sheet, although they could otherwise beformed separately and then the side panels 240 could be connecteddirectly to the front panel 250, such as by welding or other suitablemeans, prior to or during their connection to frame 20. Second, the rack210 does not include a hanger assembly. Thus, the rack 210 isspecifically configured to rest on the bottom edge of the side panels240 and/or on such bottom edges along with the bottom of the frame 20.This example is useful in settings calling for placement of the rack 210on top of a generally horizontal surface, as previously described. Whilethe rack 210 is shown in a single-tier format, it will be appreciatedthat the use of racks without a hanger assembly 30 is contemplated inboth single-tier and multi-tier formats, regardless of whether or notthe side panels are directly connected to the front panel. Also, in thisexample as well as the others disclosed herein, the frame may beconnected to the side panels at an angle with the intention of tiltingthe product backward for increased organization and containment of lessrigid articles for display.

Turning to FIGS. 4A-4C, a fourth example rack 310 is shown. Thisillustrated example includes a frame 320, a hanger assembly 330, sidepanels 340 and a front panel 350. The basic structure of this examplerack 310 differs from the example rack 10 in that it is provided in awider format, and is provided with a hanger assembly 330 equipped to besuspended from a slatwall. Accordingly, the frame 320 comprises a rearwall member 322, a front wall member 324, and upright members 326 whichare generally U-shaped. In this illustrated example, there are two pairof centrally located upright members 326 that each are connected by afront guard portion 328, and two outermost upright members 326. Theupright members 326 are spaced apart across the width of the rack 310,with an outermost pair of upright members 326 providing sides to theframe 320. The rear wall member 322 is located at the top of the rearwall, is connected to rear portions of the upright members 326, and isfurther connected to a hanger assembly 330. The front wall member 324 isconnected to front portions of the upright members 326. In this example,the front guard portions 328 are illustrated as an integral portion ofeach of the continuous pieces that also form the two centrally locatedpairs of upright members 326. The components of the frame 320 areillustrated as being formed from similar materials and connected insimilar ways to the components described above with respect to the firstexample rack 10.

The example rack 310 further includes a pair of side panels 340 and afront panel 350 that are connected to the frame 320 in a manner similarto that of the example rack 10. In the example rack 310, the hangerassembly 330 is illustrated as comprising a base 332 and a hook member334. In this example, the base 332 and hook member 334 are formed from asingle bent section of sheet metal, although it will be appreciated thatone or more pieces may be used to form a hanger assembly. The base 332is bent to permit the base to be connected to the rear wall member 322,and it also may be connected to the upper end of the upright members326. The hook member 334 is bent to provide a hanger that may beinserted and suspended from a slotted wall S, as shown with a furtherexample in FIG. 5C. However, by using the hanger assembly 330 of thefourth illustrated example, the example rack 310 advantageously may beused both in a hanging format, as well as in a free-standing format, asdescribed with respect to the example rack 210 shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E.

In FIGS. 5A-5C, a fifth example rack 410 is shown. This illustratedexample includes a frame 420, a hanger assembly 430, side panels 440 anda front panel 450. The basic structure of this example rack 410 differsfrom the example rack 310 in that it is provided in a two-tiered format.Thus, example rack 410 has a rear wall member 422, a front wall member424, generally L-shaped upper upright members 425, generally U-shapedlower upright members 426, and intermediate wall members 427. As withthe fourth example rack 310, the two pair of centrally located uprightmembers 426 are each connected by a front guard portion 428. The varioussegments of the frame 420, side panels 440, and front panel 450 may befabricated and connected in manners similar to those used for any of thepreceding frames 10, 110, 210, and 310 described above, although thisexample includes the connection of the upper upright members 425 to thelower upright members 426 via an intermediate wall member 427 and themutual connection to the side panels 440. Note however that while it isstructurally advantageous, the upper and lower upright members 425, 426need not necessarily be mutually connected to an intermediate wallmember 427. Also, additional upper upright members 425 and intermediatewall members 427 may be added to form multi-tier racks havingalternative numbers of tiers, with corresponding suitably dimensionedside panels, as desired.

The example rack 410 is shown as including a hanger assembly 330, asabove described with reference to the fourth example rack 310. Thus, theexample rack 410 similarly may be placed on a generally horizontalsurface, or may be suspended from a slatwall S, as is shown in FIG. 5C.As with the above-described example racks, it will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that the use of single-tier racks ormulti-tier racks may be more or less advantageous in particularmerchandising environments, and that such racks may be used together invertically oriented formats, such as is shown in FIG. 1, or placed onebehind the other in tiered displays.

While the present disclosure shows and demonstrates various exampleracks 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 that are adapted for use in point ofpurchase displays of goods, these examples are merely illustrative andare not to be considered limiting. It will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various racks and structures on whichracks may be placed or from which racks may be suspended can beconstructed without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. Thus, although certain example methods, apparatus andarticles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope ofcoverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, thispatent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairlyfalling within the scope of the appended claims either literally orunder the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A display rack comprising: a frame having at least one rear wallmember, at least one front wall member and at least two upright membersconnected to the at least one rear wall member and the at least onefront wall member; the frame having opposed ends; at least one sidepanel connected to each of the respective opposed ends of the frame; anda front panel connected to the frame.
 2. The display rack as defined inclaim 1, wherein the display rack further comprises a hanger assemblyconnected to the frame.
 3. The display rack as defined in claim 2,wherein the hanger assembly further comprises at least one hook member.4. The display rack as defined in claim 2, wherein the hanger assemblyfurther comprises a base that is connected to the frame.
 5. The displayrack as defined in claim 4, wherein the hanger assembly furthercomprises at least one hook member connected to the base.
 6. The displayrack as defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one hook member furthercomprises at least one hook-shaped portion at an upper end of the atleast one hook member.
 7. The display rack as defined in claim 3,wherein the at least one hook member further comprises at least onesheet portion adapted for insertion into a slatwall.
 8. The display rackas defined in claim 2, wherein the hanger assembly further comprises amounting tab.
 9. The display rack as defined in claim 2, wherein thehanger assembly further comprises fasteners adapted for connection to aplanar surface having apertures therein.
 10. The display rack as definedin claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a single display tier.
 11. Thedisplay rack as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises aplurality of display tiers.
 12. The display rack as defined in claim 1,wherein the frame further comprises at least one front guard memberextending upward from said front wall member.
 13. A method of forming adisplay rack comprising: forming a frame having two opposed ends byconnecting a plurality of upright members to at least one rear wallmember and at least one front wall member; connecting at least one sidepanel to each of the respective opposed ends of the frame; andconnecting a front panel to the frame.
 14. A method as defined in claim13, wherein connecting a plurality of upright members to at least onerear wall member and at least one front wall member further comprisesconnecting wire segments by welding.
 15. A method as defined in claim13, wherein connecting at least one side panel to each of the respectiveopposed ends of the frame further comprises forming at least two sidepanels from sheet metal and welding the respective side panels to theopposed ends of the frame.
 16. A method as defined in claim 13, whereinconnecting a front panel to the frame further comprises forming a frontpanel from sheet metal and welding the respective side panels to theframe.
 17. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprisingconnecting a hanger assembly to the frame.
 18. A method as defined inclaim 13, wherein connecting a hanger assembly to the frame furthercomprises forming a hanger assembly from wire segments and/or sheetmetal and welding the hanger assembly to the frame.
 19. A method ofarranging a display rack for a point of purchase display comprising:positioning adjacent a structural member having a vertical surface andhaving apertures therein a first rack having a frame, a pair of sidemembers, and a hanger assembly having a hook member; inserting at leasta portion of the hook member through at least one of the apertures andallowing the first rack to be suspended by the structural member.
 20. Amethod as defined in claim 19, wherein the display rack furthercomprises a mounting tab connected to the first rack and at least onefastener and the method further comprises removably connecting themounting tab to the structural member via the at least one fastener. 21.A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: positioningadjacent the structural member at least a second rack having a frame, apair of side members, and a hanger assembly having a hook member;inserting at least a portion of the hook member of the second rackthrough at least one of the apertures and allowing the second rack to besuspended by the structural member.
 22. A method as defined in claim 21,wherein the first rack and the second rack are each single-tiered.
 23. Amethod as defined in claim 21, wherein at least one of the first rackand the second rack is multi-tiered.
 24. A method as defined in claim21, wherein at least one of the first rack and the second rack issingle-tiered and the other of the first rack and the second rack ismulti-tiered.